When I started to research this technology topic, I was expecting to find one piece of interesting technology that I could use with my classes in the library. But, what I found seems to me more like a goldmine! NoodleTools is a website that provides resources for making research, especially Internet research, easier. These tools can help even the youngest students get involved in the research process because it provides information for novices as well as the Web savvy. Some of the tools on this site are free, while others involve getting a paid subscription. There is a very detailed user guide that explains everything one needs to know about using the tools on this site, saving and printing information, etc. It can be downloaded and printed out if necessary.One has to subscribe to the NoodleBib , which the site describes as, "The Web's most comprehensive and accurate MLA and APA bibliography composer with a fully-integrated note-taking component." Other tools NoodleBib Express, NoodleBib MLA Starter, NoodleTools Knowledge Base, NoodleQuest, and NoodleTeach are all free and each provides its unique but essential role in helping both students and educators. I played around with all of these tools, as you should, and I must say that had I discovered these when I was an English teacher my life would have been much easier. I particularly like NoodleQuest, a tool that helps you to decide which is the best search startegy to use for a given research assignment. Getting students involved in the research process and getting them to cite sources accurately are not easy tasks.
NoodleTeach which has two resources for teachers--21st Century Literacies and Curriculum Collaboration Toolkit--is loaded with valuable information. Check all of this out at the NoodleTools website which can be found at http://www.noodletools.com/. In the next few weeks I will investigate how well these tools really work. Explore a little and let me know what you think.
3 comments:
Hi Ahenryst,
Yes, NoodleTools is certainly a goldmine! There are so many resources at this site that students, teachers and librarians can utilize from the free services alone. Debbie Abilock's "Think Aloud" Model illustrating the relationship between reading comprehension and information literacy is valuable for developing crtical thinking skills in our students. I also very much appreciate The Invisible Web databases at this site. What is especially great about NoodleTools is its practical approach to information literacy, providing step-by-step strategies in accessing reliable, non-biased resources.
I was surprised to find the subscription cost for individuals to be so low. This site is certainly worthwhile exploring and discovering what it has to offer librarians and students in particular.
Melodee
Hello Ahenryst,
I was so excited to read about Noodle Tools. I wish I had this site a few classes ago when I had to cite resources and use APA.
I went into the Noodlebid MLA Starter for grades 1-5 and I don't know how they expect these students to use the site.
I found several problems with the cite.
It was too much reading, small print therefore not inviting, definitely need an adult to assist them with it, needed easier links to connect to, and not children friendly.
I just wish we can have sites that educators don't have to help the students with totally. We can introduce the site, but the site should be student friendly, that we can leave them there so they can work independently and explore the site themselves.
It takes to much time, students lose interest quickly and ownership is lost when teachers have to hand feed knowledge.
Your site is definitely a wealth of knowledge and I will be using it to help teachers plan their research projects.
And since I registered with noodletools, I will continue to look at the site. Thanks for another resource to add to my librarian list. I am really going to feel ready when the time comes, with the resources I have.
I also wished I had learned about this sooner. This is a great website and I cannot wait to use this in my library with my students. Thanks for opening my eyes to a great resource.
Post a Comment